Sex and Psychology Podcast Episode 427: How We Can Make Sex Education Better
Aug 29, 2025
Margaret Grace Myers, a writer, researcher, and educator from Maine, discusses the pressing issues in U.S. sex education. She highlights the lack of federal mandates and the ongoing battle for comprehensive curricula. The conversation reveals surprising bipartisan support among parents for better sex ed and contrasts U.S. practices with effective models from other countries like the Netherlands. Myers emphasizes the need for continuous education and grassroots activism to empower communities and improve youth health outcomes.
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Few States Require True Comprehensive Sex Ed
- Only five U.S. states have strong laws requiring comprehensive sex education defined as age-appropriate, inclusive, and medically accurate.
- Most states mandate something vague or require HIV instruction only, so quality varies widely.
Mandates Don’t Ensure Effective Delivery
- A state mandate doesn't guarantee implementation or accuracy in the classroom.
- Schools can ignore guidelines and underfunded teachers often lack training to deliver quality sex ed.
Engage Locally To Change Sex Ed
- Attend school board meetings and vote in local school board elections to influence sex ed policy.
- Request curriculum materials and pressure officials when abstinence-only or biased content is taught.
